Monday, January 2, 2012

This week celebrates the first full novel release in the Children of the Undying series. Hammer Down involves the meeting of two strong people–a mercenary heroine who leads her own trucker crew, and a half-demon hero who leads an outcast settlement.

In celebration of their new book, Hammer Down, Moira Rogers is having an

EREADER CONTEST: Trucker vs Outcast Throwdown!

I am picking Team Outcast!

What team are you picking?

Disclaimer: This post is part of Moira Rogers's Post-Apocalyptic Trucker vs Outcast Showdown. A comment on this post will enter you to win your choice of a NOOK Simple Touch, or a Kindle Touch or Kobo Touch with special offers. For rules, details on more ways to enter or information on how to pick your own side, visit the contest page at Moira Rogers's website.

And the grand prizes for this epic brawl pitting friend against friend?

There are a lot of people out there that think they will write a book one day, but that day never comes. Many authors know they want to be writers from the time they are young children, but that was not the case for me. I always wanted to assist in the delivery of babies and that’s what I have done for the past 13 years as a labor and delivery nurse. It has been a fulfilling career, but I became restless about 2 years ago, as my desire to write grew stronger. I was a reader before I was a writer and I found myself searching for this book that didn’t exist, so I decided to write it. I am an avid lover of paranormal romance, but I don’t want to read about teenagers and their drama, so I wrote an adult vampire romance without the erotica factor. I know there are readers like me out there looking for this book and now it exists.

 How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?

I have worked from the time I could legally do so, but my lists of jobs are rather short. I have held 3 different jobs in 21 years. I guess I’m something of a loyal dog. I worked in a jewelry store from age 15-20 before moving on to a banking operations position from age 20-23 and I have spent the last 13 years as a labor and delivery nurse. Oh, and did I mention... my husband put me to work as a graphic designer for his web-based buisiness 3 years ago. Whew! I’m tired just thinking about all that work!

I admit I like repetition because it make me comfortable, so pursuing a change of career at 36 is completely out of character for me, but I’m loving every minute of it.

 How long does it take you to write a book?

It took about 3 months to complete and edit Blood of Anteros, but I began to think about it

I “toyed” with the idea of writing Blood of Anteros for about 2 years before I finally sat down and became serious about it. It is my first book and I kept thinking, “I’ll do it one day.” It evolved several times during those 2 years before it solidified into what it is today, but it really took about 3 months to write and edit once I actually got started.

 What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I am so dependent upon music for my writing. I use it for inspiration, brainstorming or just to generally get me in the mood for writing. It makes me feel good and I don’t know where I would be without it.

 Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write?

I absolutely have a routine. Again, music is always my anchor. I am a huge music head and there is rarely a time when I don’t listen to music. I have a huge playlist that plays the entire time I write. When I hear an inspiring song, I listen to it over and over as I see the scene of the book playing out in my head, like a movie.

 Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?

I guess I’m beating a dead horse now, but sometimes I hear lyrics that spawn an amazing idea for a scene between characters in my mind. I also do a lot of research on legends and mythology, which I adapt to fit my story. Mostly, ideas strike me when I least expect it, so I keep a small notebook in my purse at all times.

 How do you decide what you want to write about?

Anything I write is something I would want to read. I wouldn’t dare attempt to write a western and I’ve always heard that you write about what you know. Obviously, I don’t know vampires, (or do I?) and elements in my book are things I experience and find familiar. I’m married to my best friend and love of my life, so I use our marriage as a reflection in the relationships of my characters.

 What books have most influenced your life?

The Bible, without a doubt. How could I say that a book written by man influenced my life more than the Word of God?

 What is the first book you remember reading by yourself?

I admit I have a terrible memory, but The Witch of Blackbird Pond stands out in my mind. I remember buying it at the book fair at school because the cover was so interesting. I still judge a book by it’s cover after all of these years.

 What are you reading right now?

I am currently reading Blood Rites by Quinn Loftis. The tentative date for release is November 30, 2011. Quinn and I became friends by corresponding about our books and now we critique for one another.

 What do you like to do when you are not writing?

How could I not say reading? I know, that’s a given, and I have to beat the dead horse again by saying listening to music. My newest hobby is photo manipulation. I know, who in their right mind would tackle the 700 pound gorilla of graphics? What can I say? I like a challenge.

 What is your favorite comfort food?

My lasagna. Nobody beats it.

 What do you think makes a good story?

A reader should never finish a book and think, “Well, that went exactly as I thought it would.” It MUST have the element of surprise for it to be considered a good story. I love when I finish a book and I’m “wowed” by an unexpected turn of events.

Fun random questions:

dogs or cats?

Cats, 2 as a matter of fact.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee. I’m a ogre without it.

Dark or milk chocolate?

Dark. And I prefer it paired with raspberries.

Rocks or flowers?

Flowers. It’s easier to kill with kindness. Rocks as weapons are just messy.

Night or day?

Night. Always.

Favorite color?

Red always catches my eye.

Crayons or markers?

Crayons. I’m a mother and they’re not as messy.

Pens or pencils?

Pens because I never make mistakes.

Now - onto the book...

Book Description:

Cruel circumstances turned Curry Brennan into the wretched

monster he hates and refuses to accept, but when an unexpected

turn of events releases him from the bond of his obsessive maker,

her returns to the home he knew 161 years earlier and finds the

return of happiness and joy in something he didn’t know existed.

Puzzled by his growing attraction to Chansey Leclaire, a human,

he is unable to resist the captivating relationship that threatens to

reveal his existence as a vampire. He eventually discovers the reason

he was destined to find what he didn’t know he searched for and is

faced with the cruel realization that the living and the immortal undead

will always be separated by one thing. Eternity.

Brief Excerpt:

I was tantalized by the mystery of her. The leech inside me came out to

find prey, but found none in this enigmatic girl. The close proximity of

her essence didn’t entice the monster within, so what did that make her?

I am a wife, mother of two daughters and a labor and delivery nurse. I have recently added Paranormal Romance Writer to my list of things to keep be busy, but I am ecstatic to release my debut novel, Blood of Anteros, the first book in The Vampire Agápe Series.

Like others that enjoy a great story of paranormal romance, I am easily bored by the tale of an obtainable, ordinary romance and was inspired to create The Vampire Agápe Series. When I am not tied up with my family or delivering babies, I am working feverishly on the second book in The Vampire Agápe Series.